Canada’s changing workforce calls for a broader approach to talent

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeGlobeNewswireThis section is The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Canada's changing workforce calls for a broader approach to talentAuthor of the article:ODEN’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month campaign highlights the potential of 741,000+ Canadians who have a disability and are not currently employedTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountWHITBY, Ontario, Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Many Canadian businesses are struggling to find the skills they need to grow and compete. According to the World Economic Forum, 63% of employers identify skills gaps as the biggest barrier to business transformation between 2025 and 2030. But the skills businesses are searching for may not be as scarce as they seem. The opportunity may lie in broadening how talent is recognized.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.This opportunity is at the center of the Ontario Disability Employment Network’s (ODEN) 2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) campaign: Skills Grow Economies, Disability Inclusion Fuels the Growth. More than 741,000 Canadians who have a disability have the potential to work but are not employed, according to Statistics Canada. Among those who are working, approximately one in three are overqualified for their jobs. Together, these numbers point to skills and experience that could play a greater role in Canada’s workforce.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“Canada has the talent to meet many of the workforce challenges ahead of us,” says Amy Widdows, CEO of the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN). “Disability inclusion gives businesses an opportunity to recognize skills, retain valuable employees and create workplaces where people can contribute and grow. That is good for people, good for business and good for Canada’s economy.”For employers, this raises an important question: are traditional approaches to talent acquisition reaching the full range of skills and experience available to them? Looking beyond conventional credentials, rigid job requirements and one-size-fits-all practices can widen access to qualified candidates. More accessible recruitment and onboarding can bring different strengths and experiences into an organization, while inclusive workplace practices can help businesses develop their employees and retain valuable knowledge.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The results say it all. Research from Accenture found companies leading in disability inclusion generated 2.6 times more net income and 1.6 times more revenue than their peers and were 25% more likely to outperform industry peers in productivity. The impact can also be felt in retention. According to the Job Accommodation Network, 85% of employers that provided accommodations reported they helped retain a valued employee.These ideas shape ODEN’s 2026 NDEAM campaign,Skills Grow Economies. Disability Inclusion Fuels the Growth. Each October, NDEAM shines a spotlight on the achievements of people who have a disability and the benefits of disability inclusive employment. This year, ODEN is putting the focus on how businesses can expand their approach to talent and turn disability inclusion into a practical workforce advantage.Throughout October, ODEN will bring employers and industry leaders together through events, training and resources. Sessions will explore skills-based hiring and “disability awareness and confidence” at work, giving organizations practical approaches they can apply to their recruiting, onboarding, and growth and retention of employees.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“Great businesses know that their employees are one of their greatest strengths,” Widdows adds. “Disability inclusion builds on that strength. It creates more opportunities to bring different skills and experiences into the workplace, keeping great employees and building teams that are ready for what comes next.”On October 15th, communities across the country will once again take part in Light It Up! For NDEAM™. Landmarks, municipalities and businesses will be illuminated in purple and blue to spark conversations about disability inclusion and employment. Now in its seventh year, the lighting event has grown from 28 locations in Ontario in 2020 to more than 900 locations across Canada in 2025, creating a national recognition for the contributions of people who have a disability in our workplaces and communities.For Canadian businesses, the conversation about skills is bigger than filling the next vacancy. Productivity and resilience depends not only on finding good employees, but on developing and retaining valuable experience within an organization. As Canada’s workforce changes, businesses that broaden how they approach recruitment and retention will be better positioned to adapt and grow.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“Canada’s opportunity is bigger than finding the skills we will need tomorrow. It is recognizing the talent we have today,” Widdows concludes. “NDEAM is a chance to build on that potential and create more opportunities for people and businesses to succeed. That is how we build a stronger workforce and a stronger economy.”For more information, and to arrange interviews, contact:Dave Bennett, Xposure PR dave@xposurepr.com 905-339-6668Pawrnaa Perinpanayagam, Communications Strategist, ODEN pperinpanayagam@odenetwork.com 416-877-0285 (cell)ABOUT ODEN: The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), created in 2008, is a professional body of Employment Service Providers united to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability. Members are from every corner of the province and support people of all disability types. Beyond Ontario, ODEN (odenetwork.com) maintains strong relationships and collaborations with organizations across Canada, creating opportunities for collective impact. Light It Up! For NDEAMTM is a trademark of the Ontario Disability Employment Network.The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) Working Together to Advance Disability Inclusive Employment Across Ontario project is funded by the Government of Ontario.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.